Surf device for dual side surf wake

ABSTRACT

A towboat hull configured to shape a desired wake shape by creating an adjustable dual side surf wake as the vessel travels through water. Controlled shaping of the wake is achieved by a secondary thrust flow redirector unit that has flow redirectors that redirect the thrust flow from a propeller as the towboat moves in a forward direction. The flow redirectors can create a single side surf wake on either side of the towboat or can simultaneously create an side surf wakes on both sides of the towboat. The adjustable flow redirector can create side surf wake with a controlled shape that is desirable for wake surfing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 63/266,258, filed Dec. 30, 2021, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including all figures,tables and drawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to boat hulls, and in particularto a towboat boat hull for manipulating water flow to shape variouswakes popular in water sports activities.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Towboats are a certain type of boat used for water sports, such asskiing, wakeboarding, or most recently, wake surfing. Towboats designedfor towing skiers in water sports activities such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, or wake surfing are generally designed with hull bottoms andhull forms that create distinct wake shapes, desirable for the specificwater sport.

Wake surfing is a relatively new water sport and is a derivative ofother water sports such as skiing and wakeboarding. Contrary to otherwater sports, wake surfers do not desire a flat wake to ride on. Rather,it is preferable to surf a large, clean wake at either side of thetowboat that is created by the towboat moving through the water.However, desirable wake characteristics for a wake surfer are vastlydifferent than the characteristics desired by a skier. Wake surfers“ride” the cresting wake formed close behind the towboat and, once inposition, do not use a towrope. Water skiers usually prefer a softer andflatter wake, while wake boarders generally prefer a tall wake at theback of the towboat that acts as a “ramp” to jump from when crossingside to side behind the towboat.

The desired wake shape for wake surfing is rather difficult to achievewith traditional towboat hulls. Current types of wake surf and wakeboard hulls create an idle side wake that can be manipulated to one sideor the other of the towboat by yawing the hull left or right, in orderto accentuate, “clean-up”, or smooth the wake as the towboat hull movesthrough the water. The shape of a wake and the smoothness of the waterflow are critical to the wake surfer, as the surfer relies on the shapeof the wake to propel forward without use of a rope. Any disturbance ofthe wake shape can be detrimental to the rider’s ability to surf thewake.

Many towboats in the industry today have surf wake systems that allowsurf wake hulls to create a surf wake. These surf wake systems mayinclude secondary yawing devices, in addition to the rudder. Forexample, there can be upright water flow diverters at each corner of thetransom of the hull, each independently capable of extending to adeployed position in which a respective water flow diverter divertswater traveling along a hull at the transom. These flow diverters causethe transom of the towboat to yaw to the port, or yaw to the starboard,whereby a counter steering method is introduced by the rudder in orderto create port or starboard side surf wakes. Deploying the flowdiverters causes the towboat to yaw to the side and the driver canmaintain a forward heading by pointing the bow of the vessel off courseto port or starboard as appropriate to compensate for the yaw, as therudder uses an opposite force to cause the towboat to travel in astraight forward path while the nose is pointed to either port orstarboard. The resulting asymmetric thrust causes the water flow thathas been diverted off of the deployable flow diverter to push aft and tothe side. This side force creates a vortex behind the tow boat thatcreates an ideal idle side wake to surf on one side of the towboat.

Other wake surf systems can include a rudder configured at the aft endof the hull to yaw the towboat as the hull moves through the water, andan amidship pivoting fin or rudder that causes the towboat to yawsideways as it propels forward in the water. This causes a similareffect, as described above, where the towboat is traveling straightahead, but has the bow pointed several degrees to either the port orstarboard side, while the rudder forces the water to the opposite sideof the bow direction to create an idle side wake suitable for wakesurfing on one side of the towboat, while retaining its forward motion.

These methods of yawing the towboat sideways and diverting thrust tocreate a desired wake shape allow surfers to surf only the idle sidewake, created on one side of the vessel at a time, since only one sideof the towboat can be yawed to interact with the water flow at a time.There is a need for alternative towboat hulls that can adequately createsurf wakes and, ideally, distinctive symmetrical wake shapes for wakesurfing on both sides of the hull at the same time.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices and methodsutilized on a towboat to shape a wake suitable for wake surfing. Thedesired wake shaping can be obtained through controlled water flow of awake surf vessel hull by the use of a secondary thrust flow redirectorunit that can direct and control water flow and direction from theunderside or behind the vessel hull. Controlled shaping of the wake canbe achieved through deliberate manipulation of the thrust of the waterflow across the vessel hull created by the propeller of a steeringdevice, in order to mimic a hull that has been yawed sideways.Advantageously, the secondary thrust flow redirector unit can create awake shape that is suitable for wake surfing on one side orsimultaneously on both sides of the towboat.

In one embodiment, a secondary thrust redirector has a flow redirectorarranged to one side of the centerline that can control and direct theforce of the propeller thrust to form a wake out from the stern of thetowboat suitable for wake surfing. In another embodiment, a secondarythrust redirector has at least two paired flow redirectors arranged inspaced relation aft of the steering device, and on each side of thecenterline, where they can redirect the propeller thrust to shape a wakeon both sides of the vessel at the same time, in order to create twowake shapes, with one on each side of the towboat, suitable for wakesurfing. In another embodiment, a pair of flow redirectors is arrangedin spaced relation aft of the propeller, with one each side of the hullcenterline, where they can redirect the propeller thrust to shape a surfwake on one side or on both sides of the vessel at the same time,suitable for wake surfing. Alternatively, the paired flow redirectorscan operate independently from the primary rudder or steerable drive toredirect the propeller thrust to one of either side of the towboat,while maintaining a forward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that a more precise understanding of the above recitedinvention can be obtained, a more particular description of theinvention briefly described above will be rendered by reference tospecific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. The drawings presented herein may not be drawn to scale andany references to dimensions in the drawings or the followingdescription are specific to the embodiments disclosed. Any variations ofthese dimensions that will allow the subject invention to function forits intended purpose are considered to be within the scope of thesubject invention. Thus, understanding that these drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered as limiting in scope, the invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a stern drive powered towboat havinga secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the propeller,integrated into the hull in place;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a stern drive powered towboat havinga secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the propeller,operably arranged on a pod that is configured to be operably affixed tothe hull in place at or near the upper hull and gunwale;

FIG. 3 is an underside view of a stern drive powered towboat having asecondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the propeller,integrated into the hull in place at or near the upper hull and gunwale.

FIG. 4 is an underside view of a stern drive powered towboat having asecondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the propeller,operably arranged on a pod that is affixed to the hull in place at ornear the upper hull and gunwale;

FIG. 5 is an underside view of a stern drive powered towboat having asecondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the propeller, wherethe steerable stern drive is turned to the right, so the propellerthrust is redirected by the right side flow director of the secondarythrust flow redirector unit;

FIG. 6 is an underside view of a stern drive powered towboat having asecondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the propeller, wherethe steerable stern drive is centered or aligned with the centerline ofthe towboat, and the propeller thrust is being redirected equally to thestarboard and port sides of the towboat by the left and right flowredirectors of the secondary thrust flow redirector unit;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a direct drive inboard poweredtowboat having a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of thepropellor and the primary rudder of the steering device. The secondarythrust flow redirector unit is shown operably arranged on a pod that isoperably attached aft of and is integrated into the primary hull inplace at or near the upper hull and gunwale;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a direct drive inboard poweredtowboat having a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of thepropeller and the primary rudder of the steering device. The secondarythrust flow redirector unit is shown operably arranged on a pod that canbe affixed aft of the primary hull in place;

FIG. 9 is an underside view of the hull of a direct drive inboardpowered towboat having a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placedaft of the rudder of the steering device. The secondary thrust flowredirector unit is shown integrated into the hull in place at or nearthe upper hull and gunwale;

FIG. 10 is an underside view of the hull of a direct drive inboardpowered tow boat having a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placedaft of the primary rudder of the steering device. The secondary thrustflow redirector unit is shown operably arranged on a pod that can beaffixed aft to the hull in place at or near the upper hull and gunwale;

FIG. 11 is an underside view of a direct drive inboard powered towboathaving a secondary thrust flow redirector unit arranged aft of theprimary rudder of the steering device in a pod integrated with thegunwale and above the hull underside. It can be seen that when thesteerable primary rudder is turned to the right, the propeller thrustcan be redirected to the port side of the towboat by the right side flowdirector;

FIG. 12 is an underside view of a direct drive inboard powered towboathaving a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the primaryrudder of the steering device. The secondary thrust flow redirector unitis operably arranged on a pod integrated with the gunwale and above thehull underside. It can be seen that when the steerable stern drive iscentered or aligned with the centerline of the towboat the propellerthrust can be redirected substantially equally to the starboard and portsides of the towboat by the left and right flow redirectors of thesecondary thrust flow redirector unit;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a direct drive inboard poweredtowboat having a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of theprimary rudder of the steering device. In this embodiment, the secondarythrust flow redirector unit is operably arranged on a pod that isintegrated with the hull and gunwale. The pod can have an undersidesurface that is coplanar with the underside of the hull of the towboat.This allows the secondary thrust flow redirector unit to extend from thepod underside in the same plane as the running surface of the towboathull from which the primary rudder extends.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a direct drive inboard powered towboat having a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of theprimary rudder of the steering device. In this embodiment, the secondarythrust flow director is operably arranged on a pod that can be affixedaft of the hull. The pod can have an underside surface that is coplanarwith the underside of the hull of the towboat. This allows the secondarythrust flow redirector unit to extend from the pod underside in the sameplane as the running surface of the towboat hull from which the primaryrudder extends.

FIG. 15 is an underside view of a direct drive inboard powered towboathaving a secondary thrust flow redirector unit operably arranged aft ofthe primary rudder of the steering device and on the same runningsurface as the primary rudder, integrated into the hull in place;

FIG. 16 is an underside view of a direct drive inboard powered towboathaving a secondary thrust flow redirector unit placed aft of the primaryrudder of the steering device and extending from the same runningsurface as the primary rudder. As shown here, when the right and leftflow redirectors are turned in the same direction, for example to theport side, the primary rudder can be turned in the opposite direction,for example, to the starboard side, which can allow the right side flowredirector to redirect the propeller thrust to the port side of thetowboat.

FIG. 17 is an underside view of a direct drive inboard powered towboathaving a secondary thrust flow redirector unit operably arranged aft ofthe primary rudder of the steering device and extending from the samerunning surface as the primary rudder. It can be seen that when theright side flow director is turned to the right and the left side flowdirector is turned to the left, and the steerable stern drive iscentered or aligned with the centerline of the towboat, the propellerthrust can be redirected substantially equally to the right and leftsides.

FIG. 18 shows an underside view of a towboat where the secondary thrustflow redirector unit is configured to include both the primary rudderand a single flow redirector operably arranged aft of the steeringdevice.

FIG. 19 shows the underside view of the towboat in FIG. 18 , where theprimary rudder is operably arranged to the left side of the center lineof the towboat and the single flow redirector is to the right of thecenter line. In this figureb, the single flow redirector is shownrotated to the left side.

FIG. 20 shows the underside view of the towboat in FIG. 18 , wherein theprimary rudder is operably arranged to left of the center line of thetowboat and the single flow redirector is to the right of the centerline. In this figure, the single flow redirector is rotated to the leftside of the towboat and the primary rudder is rotated to the right ofthe towboat.

FIG. 21 shows an alternative embodiment of a secondary thrust flowredirector unit that is in operable connection with a vertical supportcolumn that can vertically deploy the secondary thrust flow redirectorunit into the water flow at the stern of the vessel. In this embodiment,the flow redirector has a wedge shape with a narrow leading edge 65directed at the steering device propeller.

FIG. 22 shows an alternative embodiment of a secondary thrust flowredirector unit that is in operable connection with a rotation assembly.The flow redirector can have a wedge or wedge-like shape where a narrowleading edge directed at the primary rudder and/or the propeller todirect the water flow over the sides of the wedge to each side of thetowboat.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to devices and methods forcontrolling and directing the water flow thrust generated by a propellerof a boat. More specifically, the subject invention pertains to asecondary flow thrust redirector unit that can direct the flow thrustfrom a propeller towards the stern of a boat, so as to create a wakesuitable for wake surfing. In particular embodiments, a secondary flowthrust redirector unit can generate a wake shape on either side of theboat that is capable of being wake surfed. In another particularembodiment, a secondary flow thrust redirector unit can generate a wakeshape capable of being wake surfed simultaneously on each side of theboat.

The subject invention is particularly useful in the area of wake surfingand similar water sports. As the ordinary artisan can readily envision,the subject invention could also be useful for other purposes wherecontrolling the direction of water flow and thrust from a boat propellerwould be useful or advantageous. Thus, while the subject invention willbe described in relation to wake surfing and the formation of wakessuitable therefore, the invention is not limited thereto.

The term “towboat” as used herein refers to any nautical vessel utilizedto pull, tow, drag, or otherwise convey a person and wake surfing boardor other watersport equipment through or across the surface of a body ofwater.

The term “steering device”, as used herein, refers to the device used tocontrol the direction of the propeller thrust to propel and steer atowboat. A steering device can include, but is not limited to, aconventional primary rudder placed aft of a propeller on a straightshaft, a steerable stern drive, a steerable outdrive, or a steerable poddrive.

Also as used herein, the term “pod” refers to an assembly that isseparate from, but can be operably attachable to the stern of a towboat.A pod can be a modular assembly, such that it is a separate assemblyfrom the towboat, but can be permanently or removably attachable to atowboat. Alternatively, a pod can be an extension attached at the stern,for example, aft of the transom, such as above the transom or over thetransom, which is integrated with or manufactured as part of the towboatand, thus, is not considered a modular component. A pod can extend outand above the water line, such that the transom is below the pod.Alternatively, a pod can go over or cover all or a substantial portionof the transom of the towboat, such that the bottom side or hull portionof a pod and the hull of the towboat can be coplanar. In specificembodiments, a pod, modular or otherwise, has a rotatably, movably, orfixedly attached secondary thrust flow redirector unit operably attachedthereto.

Reference will be made to the attached figures on which the samereference numerals are used throughout to indicate the same or similarcomponents. With reference to the attached figures, which show certainembodiments of the subject invention, it can be seen that a secondarythrust flow redirector unit 5 of the subject invention can include asingle flow redirector 50 arranged on or on either side of thecenterline 8 or paired flow redirectors 50 arranged side-by-side one oneach side of the centerline 8. A flow director can be movably orrotatably arranged on the hull 15 of a towboat or on a pod 6 arranged atthe stern of the towboat. The single or paired flow redirectors can bepositioned aft of the propeller 13 or aft of the primary rudder 12 ofthe steering device 4 of the towboat 100. The single or paired flowredirectors can also be arranged on, to one side, or to each side of thecenter line 8. Each of these general components can have one or moresub-components, which will be discussed in detail below.

A towboat can have a steering device 4 at or near the stern 2 thattypically includes a propeller 13 that moves water under the towboat toprovide thrust to the towboat. Moving the steering device can change thedirection of the propeller, and the flow of water from the propeller canchange the direction of the towboat.

Wake surfing behind a towboat 100 requires a wake 110 that is shaped to“break” behind the towboat in a manner that causes the water forward ofthe break or closest to the towboat to be accelerated. Wake surfingahead of the wave break allows the wake surfer to be propelled forward.The subject invention pertains to a secondary thrust flow redirectorunit 5 with a single or paired flow redirectors 50, arranged in spacedrelation or separated from each other, that direct the thrust flow 9generated by a steerable outdrive propeller of the towboat and controlthe shape of the wake formed behind the towboat. By moving or rotatingthe flow redirectors 50 relative to the direction of the propeller orthe direction of the thrust flow, a single flow redirector, or one orboth of a pair, can redirect the thrust flow to shape a wake for wakesurfing on a side of the boat for a single wake surfer. Alternatively,paired flow redirectors, arranged in spaced relation and side-by-sidecan be rotated in opposition to form dual wakes, one at each side of thetowboat, each with a desired shape for wake surfing.

In one embodiment, aft of the vessel’s steering device 4, there can be asecondary thrust flow redirector unit 5, which can have a single or apair of movable or rotatable flow redirectors 50 that can rotate inunison, so that one or the other can be utilized to redirect the thrustflow, or in opposition to one another, so that each can simultaneouslyredirect thrust flow to a respective side of the towboat. The secondarythrust flow redirector unit can be moveably or rotatably mounted to theprimary hull structure 15, such as shown, for example, in FIGS. 13 and15 . Alternatively, a secondary thrust flow redirector unit can bemounted to a pod that can be integrated with the primary hull structureduring manufacture, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9,11, 12, and 13 . In still another alternative embodiment, a secondarythrust flow redirector unit can be mounted on a pod that can be operablyattachable to the aft portion of the primary hull structure 15, which isshown, for example, in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 10, and 14 . In the case of astern drive-type, or an outboard drive-type steering device, the podcomprising the secondary thrust flow redirector unit are can be attachedor integrated above the bottom surface of the hull 15, such as shown,for example, in FIGS. 1-6 . For pod drive hulls and fixed shaft inboardhulls, the secondary thrust flow redirector unit can be positioned atthe surface of the bottom of the towboat, in other words, on the bottomof the hull of the towboat, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 13-20 .

A flow redirector can be a fin or blade-like device that is movably orrotatably mounted to the stern of the towboat. The flow redirector canhave a vertical length with all or at least a portion thereof thatextends below the water line and aft of the propeller of the steeringdevice 4. In one embodiment, the flow redirector has a verticallongitudinal length 60 that is at least 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 7″, 8″, 9″, 10″,11″, 1 ft., 1.5 ft., 2 ft., 2.5 ft, 3 ft., 3.5 ft., 4 ft., 4.5 ft., 5ft., 5.5 ft, 6 ft. and/or a longitudinal length between any two of thelisted values.

In one embodiment, a flow redirector has a forward leading edge 52directed at the propeller of the steering device 4 and a left sidesurface 53 and a right side surface 54 that direct the thrust flow 9 toa side of the towboat when the flow redirector is moved or rotated tothe left or right. A flow redirector can have any of a variety of shapesadvantageous for directing the thrust flow from the propeller of thesteering device. In a specific embodiment, a flow redirector has atrapezium or trapezium-like shape, such as shown, for example, in FIGS.2, 8, and 13 . The left side 53 and right side 54 can be substantiallyplanar. Alternatively, the left side and/or the right side can have anyof a variety of curvatures or raised surfaces that are advantageous fordirecting the thrust flow to shape a wave. A person of skill in the artcan determine an appropriate shape and configuration for a flowredirector appropriate for a particular towboat that can accurately andefficiently redirect the thrust flow to shape a wave for wake surfing.

When viewed from the bottom of the hull, it can be seen that a steerabledrive can redirect the waterflow coming off of the propeller to one sideof the towboat. In one embodiment, paired flow redirectors turn orrotate in unison to remain in line with the waterflow from thepropeller. In the case of a stern drive or a pod drive, the propeller isattached to the end of a large gear case that does not turn thepropeller on its center axis. Instead, the gear case turns to the side,and the propeller not only turns, but is moved sideways and away fromthe centerline of the towboat, such as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5and 11 . By placing the flow redirectors 50 of a secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 to the sides of the towboat center line, they are ableto redirect the flow of the propeller thrust, which has been moved awayfrom the centerline of the towboat. This arrangement allows a towboat tocarefully control the thrust to one side of the hull to achieve thedesirable conditions that create a single side ideal surf wake. FIGS. 5,11 and 16 illustrate how the flow thrust can be redirected by the flowredirectors 50 to one side, such as the left side, as shown, to createthe desirable surf wake shape. FIG. 19 shows an embodiment with a singleflow redirector forming a wake on one side of the towboat.

In an alternative embodiment, where the steerable drive or primaryrudder is in the straight position aligned with the centerline 8 of thetowboat, paired flow redirectors can be each steered to an outboardposition, such as shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 17 , which divides thethrust flow 9 coming off the propeller, and causes the thrust flow to besubstantially equally distributed on both sides of the vessel, therebysimultaneously creating two wakes shaped for wake surfing.

In keeping with the teachings of the present invention, a towboat willno longer need to skew sideways in order to direct the thrust flow 9coming off the propeller to only one side. Advantageously, the subjectinvention provides a system that redirects the thrust flow from thepropeller to one or both sides of the towboat.

In alternative embodiments, the secondary thrust flow redirector unitcomprises a deployable or fixedly attached wedge shaped device and canbe mounted on the towboat aft of the propeller and the primary thrustflow direction to create an ideal idle side wake on either or both sidesof a tow boat hull.

With reference to the attached figures, which show specific embodimentsof the subject invention, it can be seen that FIG. 1 shows a sideelevation view of a towboat having a bow 1, a stern 2, a keel 3, asteering device (stern drive) 4, with a pod 6 comprising a secondarythrust flow redirector unit 5 arranged aft of the steering device 4,integrated into the hull in place. In this embodiment, it can be seenthat the flow redirector 50 of the secondary thrust flow redirector unit5 is rotatably attached to integrated pod 6 and has a verticallongitudinal length 60 that extends from the pod 6 to the thrust flow 9from the propeller.

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of a towboat having a bow 1, a stern2, a keel 3, a steering device 4 and having a secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 placed aft of the steering device 4. The flowredirectors 50 are rotatably affixed to a pod 6 attached to the hull.

FIG. 3 shows an underside view of the towboat depicted in FIG. 1 with astern drive powered steering device 4 and having a secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 comprising two flow redirectors 50 is placed aft ofthe steering device 4. The flow redirectors 50 of the secondary thrustflow redirector unit 5 are integrated into the hull with a pod 6 shownin place.

FIG. 4 shows an underside view of the stern drive powered steeringdevice 4 on the towboat of FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the pod 6 isattached to the hull shown in place.

FIG. 5 shows an underside view of the stern drive powered towboat ofFIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the steerable outdrive 4 can be seenrotated to the right. The propeller 13 can be seen rotated away from thecenterline 8, and the thrust flow redirectors 50 are turned to the leftin order to redirect the thrust flow 9 generated by propeller 13 toshape an ideal wake surf wake to the left side 10 of the towboat.

FIG. 6 is an underside view of the stern drive powered towboat shown inFIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the steerable outdrive 4 can be seencentered or aligned with the towboat centerline 8, as viewed from thebottom. The propeller 13 that is aligned with the towboat centerline 8directs thrust flow 9 directly towards the flow redirectors 50, whichare turned in opposition and inward to form a “V” open aft of thetowboat. This results in the thrust flow 9 of the propeller 13 beingredirected out to the sides of the towboat. This shapes two ideal wakesurf wakes, one at each side 10 of the towboat.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view of a direct drive inboard poweredsteering device 4 on a towboat having a shaft mounted propeller 13, anda primary rudder 12. In this embodiment, the secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 is arranged aft of the primary rudder 12 with the flowredirectors 50 operably attached to an integrated pod 6 that is abovethe hull bottom shown in place.

FIG. 8 shows a side elevation view of the direct drive inboard poweredtowboat having a modular, attached pod 6. In this embodiment, thesecondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 is shown arranged aft of theprimary rudder 12, affixed in attached modular pod 6 above the hullbottom in place.

FIG. 9 shows an underside view of a direct drive inboard powered towboatof FIG. 7 having a shaft mounted propeller 13, and a primary rudder 12.In this embodiment, the secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 isarranged aft of the primary rudder 12 and the flow redirectors 50 areintegrated with the hull by integrated pod 6 arranged above the runningsurface of the hull, shown in place.

FIG. 10 shows an underside view of the direct drive inboard poweredtowboat in FIG. 8 , wherein the flow redirectors 50 of the secondarythrust flow redirector unit 5 are p-laced aft of the primary rudder 12and are operably affixed to a modular pod 6 that is attached to thetowboat above the running surface of the hull, shown in place.

FIG. 11 shows an underside view of a direct drive inboard poweredtowboat of FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, the secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 is arranged aft of the primary rudder 12 in operableconnection to pod 6 above the hull bottom. The shaft mounted propeller13 can be seen directly aligned on the towboat centerline 8, so thethrust flow 9 is directed to the primary rudder 12. Primary rudder 12can be seen here rotated to the left side 10 of the towboat, as viewedfrom the bottom. The paired flow redirectors are turned to the right toallow the outside or right side thrust flow redirector 50 to redirectthe thrust flow 9 off the primary rudder 12. Advantageously, thisconfiguration shapes an ideal wake surf wake to the side 10 of thetowboat, in this example, to the left side of the towboat.

FIG. 12 shows an underside view of the direct drive inboard poweredsteering device 4 on the towboat of FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, theprimary rudder 12 can be seen in the neutral position, or aligned withthe centerline 8 of the towboat, as the boat is viewed from the bottom.Each flow redirector 50 is turned or rotated outboard, to form a “V”open aft of the primary rudder 12, which can redirect the thrust flow 9off the primary rudder 12 to each side of the towboat. Advantageously,this shapes two ideal wake surf wakes, one at each side 10 of thetowboat.

FIG. 13 shows a side elevation view of a direct drive inboard poweredtowboat having a shaft mounted propeller 13, and a primary rudder 12. Inthis embodiment, a secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 is arrangedaft of the primary rudder 12 and is operably attached to the towboathull running surface, shown here in place.

FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of another embodiment of a directdrive inboard powered towboat. In this embodiment, the secondary thrustflow redirector unit 5 is arranged on a modular pod 6 affixed to thetowboat aft of the primary rudder 12. This can position the flowredirectors 50 at the same level as or parallel to the primary rudder12, such that the bottom of pod 6 is coplanar with the towboat hullrunning surface.

FIG. 15 shows an underside view of a direct drive inboard poweredtowboat having a shaft mounted propeller 13, and a primary rudder 12. Inthis embodiment, the secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 is placedaft of the primary rudder 12 and is operably connected to the runningsurface of the tow boat hull.

FIG. 16 shows an underside view of the direct drive inboard poweredtowboat of FIG. 15 . In this embodiment, the secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 is arranged aft of the primary rudder 12 and operablyconnected to the running surface or underside of the towboat hull. Theshaft mounted propeller 13 can be seen aligned directly on the towboatcenterline 8, which can direct the thrust flow at the primary rudder 12.In this embodiment, the primary rudder 12 can be seen rotated to directthrust flow 9 to the right. The paired thrust flow redirectors areturned or rotated so that the outside or right side thrust flowredirector 5 redirects the thrust flow 9 of the primary rudder 12. Asshown, this shapes an ideal surf wake 5 to the left side 10 of thetowboat.

FIG. 17 shows an underside view of the direct drive inboard poweredtowboat of FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, the secondary thrust flowredirector unit 5 is arranged aft of the shaft mounted propeller 13 andis operably connected to the running surface of the towboat hull. Inthis embodiment, the propeller 13 can be directly aligned on the towboatcenterline 8, so that the thrust flow is directed to the primary rudder12. The primary rudder 12 can also be seen in the neutral position oraligned with the towboat center line 8. Each flow redirector 50 of thesecondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 can be turned outboard to form a“V” that is open aft of the towboat, in order to redirect the thrustflow 9 from the primary rudder 12 to each side 10 of the towboat.Advantageously, this shapes two ideal wake surf wakes, one at each side10 of the towboat.

FIG. 18 shows an underside view of another direct drive inboard poweredtowboat, with the secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 arranged aftof the shaft mounted propeller 13 and operably attached to the runningsurface of the towboat hull. The shaft mounted propeller 13 can be seenaligned directly on the towboat centerline 8. In this embodiment,secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 includes the primary rudder 12,which is placed off of the centerline 8, and a single flow redirector50, which is placed opposite to the primary rudder 12 on the other sideof centerline 8. In this embodiment, the primary rudder 12 can be seenparallel to the centerline. The thrust flow redirector 50 is alsoparallel to the centerline

FIG. 19 shows an underside view of the direct drive inboard poweredtowboat of 15, with the secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5 arrangedaft of the shaft mounted propeller 13 and operably connected to therunning surface or underside of the towboat hull. The shaft mountedpropeller 13 can be seen aligned directly on the towboat centerline 8,which can direct the thrust flow 9 to both flow redirector 50 and theprimary rudder 12 simultaneously. In this embodiment, secondary thrustflow redirector unit 5 includes the primary rudder 12, which is placedoff of the centerline 8, and the flow redirector 50 is placed to theopposite side of the centerline 8 from primary rudder 12. In thisembodiment, the primary rudder 12 can be seen parallel to the centerline8 while the flow redirector 50 is rotated to the left, so that theoutside or left side the flow redirector 50 creates an ideal wake surfwake to the left side 10 of the towboat. With this embodiment, theprimary rudder 12 can be utilized to balance the force for the flowredirector 50.

FIG. 20 shows an underside view of the direct drive inboard poweredtowboat of FIG. 19 , with the secondary thrust flow redirector unit 5arranged aft of the shaft mounted propeller 13 and operably connected tothe running surface or underside of the towboat hull. The shaft mountedpropeller 13 can be seen aligned directly on the towboat centerline 8,which can direct the thrust flow 9 to both the flow redirector 50 andthe primary rudder 12 simultaneously. In this embodiment, the secondarythrust flow redirector unit 5 includes the primary rudder 12 placed offof the centerline 8, and the flow redirector 50 placed to the oppositeside of the centerline 8 from primary rudder 12. In this embodiment, theprimary rudder 12 can be seen turned to the right while the flowredirector 50 is rotated to the left so that the thrust flow 9 isequally divided to both sides of the hull to create an ideal wake surfwake to both sides 10 of the towboat. With this embodiment, the primaryrudder 12 can also be utilized to balance the force of the flowredirector 50 to fine tune the steering while underway.

FIG. 21 shows a towboat configured with an alternative secondary thrustflow redirector unit 5 that deploys downward into the waterflow aft ofpropeller 13. This flow redirector 50 can be a single non-rotatingassembly that has a wedge shape, arranged with a narrow leading edge 65.With this embodiment, water flow at the stern can be equally directed toboth sides of the towboat. Alternatively, a secondary structure with aprofile designed to mimic a symmetrically diverted thrust flow aft of asteering device 4 can be separately affixed to a conventional hull inorder to achieve similar results.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 22 , a flow redirector has a wedgeshape operably connected to a vertically rotating assembly 77. Therotating assembly can rotate downwards to deploy the flow redirectorinto the water at the stern 2 of the towboat, with a narrow leading edge65 directed at the thrust flow 9 from the propeller 13. The thrust flowfrom the propeller can be directed over the sides of the wedge by thenarrow leading edge 65 which divides the water.

EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1. An article of manufacture, configured to be operablyattached aft of a propeller of a steering device on a towboat, thearticle of manufacture comprising:

-   a secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprising:-   at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector having a left side    surface, a right side surface, and a forward leading edge, and    configured to extend past an underside of the towboat and be located    aft of the propeller, such that, when the flow redirector is moved    or rotated, flow thrust originating from the propeller is redirected    to a side of the towboat to shape a wake for wake surfing.

Embodiment 2. The article of manufacture according to embodiment 1,wherein the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair ofmovable or rotatable flow redirectors.

Embodiment 3. The article of manufacture according to embodiment 1,wherein the flow redirector has a vertical length of at least 3 inchesto 6 feet.

Embodiment 4. The article of manufacture according to embodiment 1,further comprising a pod that comprises the secondary thrust flowredirector unit, the pod configured to be operably attached to extendfrom a stern of the towboat, wherein the at least one movable orrotatable flow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.

Embodiment 5. The article of manufacture according to embodiment 4,wherein the pod is modular and is configured to be operably attached tothe stern of the towboat.

Embodiment 6. The article of manufacture according to embodiment 4,wherein the pod is integrated with a hull of the towboat.

Embodiment 7. A method for shaping a wake to a side of a towboat, themethod comprising:

-   obtaining a towboat having operably arranged thereon a secondary    thrust flow redirector unit comprising at least one movable or    rotatable flow redirector, arranged on or to a side of a centerline    of the towboat, the at least one movable or rotatable flow    redirector having a left side surface, a right side surface, and a    forward leading edge, and extending past an underside of the towboat    and located aft of a propeller of a steering device;-   utilizing the propeller to generate a thrust flow that flows past    the forward leading edge of the at least one movable or rotatable    flow redirector to create a wake at the stern of the towboat; and-   moving or rotating the at least one movable or rotatable flow    redirector to redirect the thrust flow and thereby adjustably shape    a wake at a side of the towboat.

Embodiment 8. The method according to embodiment 7, wherein thesecondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair of movable orrotatable flow redirectors arranged side-by-side in spaced relation, oneon each side of the centerline, the pair being aft of the propeller, andwherein the method further comprises:

moving or rotating the paired flow redirectors such that the thrust flowis divided to both the left side and the right side of the towboat tothereby adjustably shape a wake on each side of the towboat.

Embodiment 9. The method according to embodiment 7, wherein the towboatcomprises a pod, the pod comprising the secondary thrust flow redirectorunit, the pod being operably attached to extend from a stern of thetowboat, and wherein the at least one movable or rotatable flowredirector extends from an underside of the pod.

Embodiment 10. The method according to embodiment 9, wherein the pod ismodular and is operably attached to the stern of the towboat.

Embodiment 11. The method according to embodiment 9, wherein the pod isintegrated with a hull of the towboat.

Embodiment 12. The method according to embodiment 9, wherein the podextends from the stern of the towboat and the underside of the pod isabove a water line.

Embodiment 13. The method according to embodiment 9, wherein the podextends from the stern of the towboat and the underside of the pod iscoplanar with the underside of the towboat.

Embodiment 14. An improved watercraft, the watercraft comprising avessel hull having an underside, and a steering device comprising apropeller configured to generate a thrust flow for the watercraftoperably engaged with the vessel hull, wherein the improvementcomprises:

a secondary thrust flow redirector unit located aft of the propeller,the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprising at least onemovable or rotatable flow redirector extending past the underside of thevessel hull and configured to redirect the thrust flow of the watercraftto adjustably control the shape of a wake of the watercraft or to causethe watercraft to yaw sideways as it is moving in a forward direction.

Embodiment 15. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 14,wherein the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair ofmovable or rotatable flow redirectors.

Embodiment 16. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 14,wherein the flow redirector has a vertical length of at least 3 inchesto 6 feet.

Embodiment 17. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 14,further comprising a pod that comprises the secondary thrust flowredirector unit, the pod configured to be operably attached to extendfrom a stern of the vessel hull, wherein the at least one movable orrotatable flow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.

Embodiment 18. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 17,wherein the pod is modular and is configured to be operably attached tothe stern of the vessel hull.

Embodiment 19. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 17,wherein the pod is integrated with the vessel hull.

Embodiment 20. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 17,wherein the pod is configured to extend from the stern of the vesselhull and to have an underside that is above a water line.

Embodiment 21. The improved watercraft according to embodiment 17,wherein the pod extends from the stern of the vessel hull and has anunderside that is coplanar with the underside of the vessel hull.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and otherpublications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent theyare not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.Additionally, the entire contents of the references cited within thereferences cited herein are also entirely incorporated by reference.

The examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrativepurposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereofwill be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be includedwithin the spirit and purview of this application.

1. An article of manufacture, configured to be operably attached aft ofa propeller of a steering device on a towboat, the article ofmanufacture comprising: a secondary thrust flow redirector unitcomprising: at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector having aleft side surface, a right side surface, and a forward leading edge, andconfigured to extend past an underside of the towboat and be located aftof the propeller, such that, when the flow redirector is moved orrotated, flow thrust originating from the propeller is redirected to aside of the towboat to shape a wake for wake surfing.
 2. The article ofmanufacture according to claim 1, wherein the secondary thrust flowredirector unit comprises a pair of movable or rotatable flowredirectors.
 3. The article of manufacture according to claim 1, whereinthe flow redirector has a vertical length of at least 3 inches to 6feet.
 4. The article of manufacture according to claim 1, furthercomprising a pod that comprises the secondary thrust flow redirectorunit, the pod configured to be operably attached to extend from a sternof the towboat, wherein the at least one movable or rotatable flowredirector extends from an underside of the pod.
 5. The article ofmanufacture according to claim 4, wherein the pod is modular and isconfigured to be operably attached to the stern of the towboat.
 6. Thearticle of manufacture according to claim 4, wherein the pod isintegrated with a hull of the towboat.
 7. A method for shaping a wake toa side of a towboat, the method comprising: obtaining a towboat havingoperably arranged thereon a secondary thrust flow redirector unitcomprising at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector, arrangedon or to a side of a centerline of the towboat, the at least one movableor rotatable flow redirector having a left side surface, a right sidesurface, and a forward leading edge, and extending past an underside ofthe towboat and located aft of a propeller of a steering device;utilizing the propeller to generate a thrust flow that flows past theforward leading edge of the at least one movable or rotatable flowredirector to create a wake at the stern of the towboat; and moving orrotating the at least one movable or rotatable flow redirector toredirect the thrust flow and thereby adjustably shape a wake at a sideof the towboat.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein thesecondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair of movable orrotatable flow redirectors arranged side-by-side in spaced relation, oneon each side of the centerline, the pair being aft of the propeller, andwherein the method further comprises: moving or rotating the paired flowredirectors such that the thrust flow is divided to both the left sideand the right side of the towboat to thereby adjustably shape a wake oneach side of the towboat.
 9. The method according to claim 7, whereinthe towboat comprises a pod, the pod comprising the secondary thrustflow redirector unit, the pod being operably attached to extend from astern of the towboat, and wherein the at least one movable or rotatableflow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the pod is modular and is operablyattached to the stern of the towboat.
 11. The method according to claim9, wherein the pod is integrated with a hull of the towboat.
 12. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein the pod extends from the stern ofthe towboat and the underside of the pod is above a water line.
 13. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein the pod extends from the stern ofthe towboat and the underside of the pod is coplanar with the undersideof the towboat.
 14. An improved watercraft, the watercraft comprising avessel hull having an underside, and a steering device comprising apropeller configured to generate a thrust flow for the watercraftoperably engaged with the vessel hull, wherein the improvementcomprises: a secondary thrust flow redirector unit located aft of thepropeller, the secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprising at leastone movable or rotatable flow redirector extending past the underside ofthe vessel hull and configured to redirect the thrust flow of thewatercraft to adjustably control the shape of a wake of the watercraftor to cause the watercraft to yaw sideways as it is moving in a forwarddirection.
 15. The improved watercraft according to claim 14, whereinthe secondary thrust flow redirector unit comprises a pair of movable orrotatable flow redirectors.
 16. The improved watercraft according toclaim 14, wherein the flow redirector has a vertical length of at least3 inches to 6 feet.
 17. The improved watercraft according to claim 14,further comprising a pod that comprises the secondary thrust flowredirector unit, the pod configured to be operably attached to extendfrom a stern of the vessel hull, wherein the at least one movable orrotatable flow redirector extends from an underside of the pod.
 18. Theimproved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the pod is modularand is configured to be operably attached to the stern of the vesselhull.
 19. The improved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the podis integrated with the vessel hull.
 20. The improved watercraftaccording to claim 17, wherein the pod is configured to extend from thestern of the vessel hull and to have an underside that is above a waterline.
 21. The improved watercraft according to claim 17, wherein the podextends from the stern of the vessel hull and has an underside that iscoplanar with the underside of the vessel hull.